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Centre for Policy on Ageing | |
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Characterizing medication discrepancies among older adults during transitions of care
— a systematic review focusing on discrepancy synonyms, data sources and classification terms | | Author(s) | Tia Kostas |
| Journal title | Aging Health, vol 9, no 5, October 2013 |
| Publisher | Future Medicine, October 2013 |
| Pages | pp 497-508 |
| Source | www.futuremedicine.com |
| Keywords | Drugs ; Discharge [hospitals] ; At risk ; Research Reviews. |
| Annotation | Medication reconciliation is a Joint Commission National Patient Safety Goal prioritised at transitions of care. Medication discrepancies are the reason for, and result of, medication reconciliation. However their characterisation in the literature has not been systematically studied. Older adults are at particularly high risk for medication discrepancies given the prevalence of polypharmacy in this population. The aim of this study was to determine how medication discrepancies among older adults are defined during transitions of care by analysing synonyms, medication data sources and classification terms. A systematic search of relevant databases was carried out. Out of 746 records retrieved, 35 studies were included in this review. In total 19 studies (54%) were exclusive to adults over 65 years of age. Study settings included hospital discharge, admission and mixed or multiple transitions. Synonyms for discrepancies included inconsistencies, incongruences, inaccuracies and disagreements, among others. Common data sources included inpatient medication records and medication histories. A comprehensive, best possible medication history utilising all available medication data sources was recorded in 51% of studies, most consistently at admission. Most studies classified discrepancies; common classification terms included drug dose, omission and commission. In this first systematic review of medication discrepancy definitions, there was found to be inconsistency across studies. Standardisation and common discrepancy nomenclature is necessary for medication reconciliation outcomes to be compared, and to identify best practices to enhance safety. Safety implications are most salient in older adults given the number of medications and transitions of care to which they are exposed, as well as their sensitivity to adverse consequences of medication discrepancies. (JL). |
| Accession Number | CPA-131003202 A |
| Classmark | LLD: LD:QKJ: CA3: 3A:6KC |
Data © Centre for Policy on Ageing |
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| ...from the Ageinfo database published by Centre for Policy on Ageing. |
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